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Shock moves for Wallabies

James Horwill's promotion to captain wasn't the only surprising decision in the new Wallabies squad, with some injured players still making the cut.

It was the perfect next step in the young halfback's rapid rise, following Commonwealth Games silver with Australia's Sevens team, a spring tour call-up for the Wallabies last year and a Super Rugby debut with the Melbourne Rebels this year.

''Mum keeps walking around with a smile on her face and Dad just keeps shaking my hand,'' Phipps said, his own grin permanently fixed. ''It's pretty humbling and really exciting. I never really thought I would be in this squad.''

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Robbie Deans thought otherwise. He was on the lookout for a specialist halfback a year ago, and spotted Phipps in that club match. This week, he pointed to the exact spot on which Phipps stood when the Parramatta-raised youngster caught his eye. ''That man remembers everything,'' Phipps said of the moment he was told he'd be in the squad. ''He knew exactly where I was.''

Deans said Phipps's inclusion was a crucial part of the Wallabies' contingency plan. ''With halfback being such a key role, we didn't want, off the back of injury, to have our game compromised,'' he said. '''Phippsy' came with us to Europe at the end of last year … he's a young player but he had a full Super load, and we were keen to take a specialist halfback away again.''

The young Rebel knows he is well and truly third choice behind Will Genia and Luke Burgess for a run-on spot. But after being mentored by another star halfback, Sam Cordingley, throughout the Super season, Phipps sees only the potential in his position.

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''Of course Luke and Will are the top two halfbacks, and I'm going to learn so much from watching them play and training with them,'' he said. ''But you know, I'm going to put some pressure on them as well, and then if an opportunity arises, I'll take it.''